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# System prepended metadata

title: What are the rules for “My Time Dining” on Princess Cruises?
tags: [Princess Anytime Dining, how Princess Anytime Dining works on board, rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises, flexible dining Princess, My Time Dining rules, making reservations for Anytime Dining in Princess app, pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships]

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# What are the rules for “My Time Dining” on Princess Cruises?

If you don’t love eating at the same time every night or sharing a fixed table, Princess’ flexible dining option is for you. Call us **<a href="tel:+18448077245">+1-844-807-7245</a>** On Princess, this is often called **Princess Anytime Dining**, and many guests think of it as **My Time Dining**, **flexible dining Princess**, or **open seating Princess**. Whatever you call it, the idea is simple: you’re not locked into a single early or late seating; instead, you choose when you want to dine within the available hours.

But like any system, there are guidelines and expectations. Understanding the **My Time Dining rules** and how **Princess Anytime Dining** works will help you avoid long waits, handle **dinner reservations** smartly, and enjoy a relaxed evening routine.

* **How Princess Anytime Dining works on board**
* The core **rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises**
* **Making reservations for Anytime Dining in Princess app**
* **Pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships**
* **Dress code and wait times for Anytime Dining Princess**

![7](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Bkg5eocbbl.png)


## How Princess Anytime Dining works on board

At its core, **Princess Anytime Dining** (or My Time–style dining) is designed for flexibility:

* You are not assigned a fixed table or time.
* You can show up when you’re hungry within the open hours.
* You can choose to dine alone, as a couple, with friends, or share a larger table.

Here’s **how Princess Anytime Dining works on board** in practice:

1. **Dedicated dining rooms**

   * Certain main dining rooms are designated for **open seating Princess** or Anytime Dining.
   * Traditional, fixed seating guests usually eat in different dining rooms with assigned tables and set times.

2. **Dining hours**

   * These dining rooms are open for a block of time in the evening (for example, roughly between early evening and later night hours).
   * Within that window, you can arrive when it suits your schedule, subject to availability.

3. **Reservations and walk-ins**

   * You may be able to make **dinner reservations** for specific times.
   * You can also join a virtual or physical wait list when you arrive, just like at a restaurant on land.

Because this system must handle many guests, Princess adds structure through certain My Time Dining rules.

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## Key rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises

While details can vary by ship and voyage, some common **rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises** include:

### 1. You must be registered for Anytime Dining

You generally choose your dining style before the cruise:

* **Traditional dining** (early/late fixed seating), or
* **Princess Anytime Dining** / flexible dining.

If you want flexibility, you need to select the Anytime option in your booking, through your travel agent, or at check-in (if space is available). Changing from fixed to Anytime mid-cruise is possible but depends on capacity.

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### 2. You can dine at varying times, but within posted hours

The “My Time” concept doesn’t mean 24/7 access in the main dining room. **Flexible dining Princess** still runs within specific meal hours—usually a continuous block in the evening. You can:

* Show up earlier on port days when you’re tired.
* Eat later on sea days if you prefer a relaxed afternoon.

Your freedom is within that window, not outside it.

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### 3. You can request table type (but it’s not guaranteed)

When you arrive or make a reservation, you can:

* Ask for a table for two, four, six, or more.
* Request to share with other guests or dine privately.

The staff will try to honor your preferences, but during busy times, you might need to be flexible on table size to avoid longer waits.

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### 4. Group size matters

Larger groups (for example, 6–10 people) may need **dinner reservations** or advance planning to sit together in an Anytime dining room. Turning up as a big group at peak time and expecting an immediate table can be unrealistic; planning ahead is part of the unwritten **My Time Dining rules**.

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### 5. One dining style per cabin

Generally, everyone in the same stateroom shares the same dining assignment:

* If the cabin is set for **Princess Anytime Dining**, everyone in that cabin follows that system.
* Traditional dining and Anytime dining can’t usually be mixed within one cabin.

This prevents confusion in the system and helps the crew manage seating and service.

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## Making reservations for Anytime Dining in the Princess app

One of the best ways to use **Princess Anytime Dining** smoothly is to take advantage of digital tools. **Making reservations for Anytime Dining in Princess app** (often via the Dine My Way or dining section) can significantly reduce waiting.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. **Before the cruise**

   * Once your booking is in the app, you may see options to set dining preferences:

     * Preferred time window (early, mid-evening, late)
     * Party size
     * Whether you’re OK sharing a table or prefer private tables
   * For some sailings, you may pre-book **dinner reservations** for certain nights and times.

2. **During the cruise**

   * You can review or adjust your reservations each day.
   * You may be able to request a table or join a queue through the app, then go to the dining room when they’re ready for you.
   * If you change your mind about show times or excursions, you can move your dining time accordingly, subject to availability.

This app-based system is a big part of how modern **open seating Princess** dining works—especially when many guests choose Anytime at once.

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## Pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships

To decide whether **Princess Anytime Dining** is right for you, it helps to weigh the **pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships**.

### Pros

* **Schedule freedom**

  * You can match your dinner to show times, kids’ schedules, or port excursions.

* **Variety of dining companions**

  * You can meet new people by opting to share tables or dine alone if you prefer.

* **Adaptable night by night**

  * Early one night, late the next—your plan can change daily.

* **App-based control**

  * With **making reservations for Anytime Dining in Princess app**, you can tweak plans from your phone.

### Cons

* **Potential wait times**

  * At peak times, especially sea days around 7–8 PM, the **wait times for Anytime Dining Princess** can be longer than with a fixed assignment.

* **Less predictability**

  * You may not have the same server or tablemates each night, unless you intentionally book the same time and table area.

* **Popular times fill quickly**

  * Prime dinner slots may require advance reservations or flexibility on your part.

If you love routine, traditional dining may feel more comfortable. If you prefer spontaneity and a land-restaurant feel, **flexible dining Princess** is likely a good fit.

---

## Dress code and wait times for Anytime Dining Princess

Dress and timing expectations are another part of the **My Time Dining rules**.

### Dress code

**Dress code and wait times for Anytime Dining Princess** are similar to those in traditional dining rooms:

* **Casual nights:**

  * Resort casual is typically fine—nice jeans or slacks, collared shirts or blouses, simple dresses.
* **Formal or dress-up nights:**

  * Guests are expected to follow the ship’s dress recommendations (e.g., dressier outfits, cocktail dresses, or jackets for men).

Anytime dining doesn’t mean “come as you are” in beachwear; the main dining rooms still follow the ship’s overall dress standards. Swimwear, tank tops, or very informal clothing are usually not appropriate at dinner, regardless of seating style.

---

### Wait times

A realistic understanding of **wait times for Anytime Dining Princess** will keep your expectations in check:

* **Peak times:**

  * When many guests want to dine (often around 7:00–7:30 PM), you may face a wait—especially if you haven’t made a reservation and want a specific table type.

* **Off-peak times:**

  * Going earlier or later can dramatically shorten or eliminate waits.

* **App queue systems:**

  * On many ships, the app lets you join a virtual line and shows an estimated waiting time. This is a great way to minimize standing around.

If you absolutely hate waiting, you might prefer making reservations for each night or choosing a slightly off-peak time window.

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## Practical tips for making the most of My Time Dining

To get the best out of **Princess Anytime Dining** and its My Time–style system:

* **Plan key nights ahead**

  * For formal nights or evenings when you want to see a popular show, use the app to secure **dinner reservations** well ahead of time.

* **Be flexible on table type**

  * Being open to different table sizes or sharing can get you seated faster during busy periods.

* **Use the app daily**

  * Make or adjust bookings as your day’s plans take shape. That’s the heart of **how Princess Anytime Dining works on board**.

* **Avoid the exact peak window**

  * Aim for just before or just after the busiest times to reduce wait.

* **Talk to the dining team**

  * If you have special needs or a consistent preference, speak to the maître d’ early in the cruise. They often can help you find a pattern that works.

If the tech or options feel confusing, you can always talk with a travel agent or a cruise specialist at **<a href="tel:+18448077245">+1-844-807-7245</a>** for help matching your dining style to your itinerary. For extra planning tips and comparisons across various cruise lines, browsing resources on **portjourney.com** can also be helpful.

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## FAQs about My Time / Anytime Dining on Princess Cruises

**1. How does Princess Anytime Dining work on board?**
**How Princess Anytime Dining works on board** is simple: instead of a fixed time and table, you dine within a broad evening window in a designated Anytime dining room. You can show up at your convenience or use the app to reserve a time. The crew will seat you based on your party size and preferences, subject to availability.

**2. What are the main rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises?**
The core **rules for My Time Dining on Princess Cruises** are that you must be assigned to the Anytime system, dine within posted hours, and follow the ship’s dress code. You may be able to request specific table sizes or private seating, but these are not guaranteed—particularly during peak times. Group size and capacity can affect how quickly you’re seated.

**3. How do I make reservations for Anytime Dining in the Princess app?**
**Making reservations for Anytime Dining in Princess app** usually involves going to the dining or “Dine My Way” section, selecting your preferred time window and party size, and then booking specific times for certain nights. During the cruise, you can adjust these bookings, join a virtual queue, or change times if your plans shift, subject to availability.

**4. What are the pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships?**
The **pros and cons of flexible dining on Princess ships** include greater scheduling freedom, more variety in tablemates, and the convenience of using the app to plan meals. On the downside, you may encounter longer waits at popular times, less consistency in servers and tables, and the need to plan ahead for busy nights. Choosing the system that matches your personality and routine is key.

**5. What is the dress code and what are typical wait times for Anytime Dining on Princess?**
**Dress code and wait times for Anytime Dining Princess** follow the general main dining room standards: resort casual on regular nights and dressier attire on formal or celebration nights—no swimwear or very casual beachwear is allowed. Wait times vary by time and crowd; peak dinner hours may involve waits, especially without reservations. To minimize this, use the app, choose slightly off-peak times, and be flexible about sharing tables. If you’re unsure what will work best for your cruise, a travel advisor or cruise specialist at **<a href="tel:+18448077245">+1-844-807-7245</a>** can help explain your options, and you can explore more planning advice on **portjourney.com**.
